Reproducing apparatus and information distribution system

ABSTRACT

A reproducing apparatus operable to move data that is coded and managed for copyright protection after evaluation an encryption key and permitting its movement based on a result of the evaluation, to copy data that is recorded in a server to a terminal apparatus, and, cause the terminal apparatus itself to reproduce the data and, where a terminal apparatus is connected to the server to, render data on the server reproducible.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a recording/reproducing apparatus whichmoves data that is coded and managed for copyright protection afterevaluating an encryption key and permitting its movement based on aresult of the evaluation, as well as to an information distributionsystem which copies data that is recorded in a server to a terminalapparatus and causes the terminal apparatus itself to reproduce the dataand, where a terminal apparatus is connected to the server, renders dataon the server reproducible.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, small-size recording media incorporating a solid-staterecording device such as a flash memory have been developed which canrecord computer data, still image data, moving image data, musical data,voice data, etc. by using a dedicated drive or a drive that isincorporated in an audio/video apparatus, an information apparatus, orthe like.

On the other hand, conventionally, media such as the CD (compact disc)and the MD (mini disc; trademark) have spread as media for recordingmusical data etc. Data can be recorded on or reproduced from those mediaby using a CD player or an MD recorder/player.

In information apparatuses such as personal computers, various datafiles can be recorded on and reproduced from a hard disk drive (HDD)that is incorporated in or connected to such information apparatuses.

In the current situation in which a variety of recording media andrecording/reproducing apparatuses and drives therefor have spread, therefrequently occurs a case that the user side copies or moves a data filethat is recorded on a certain recording medium to another recordingmedium.

Usually, users perform copying or movement according to necessity thatis legitimate. However, as typified by copying of musical data, theremay occur a case that a user infringes the copyright of a data file thatis owned by another person (in particular, an author or the like) whenthe user copies it beyond the confines of personal duplication.

In view of the above, in conventional systems capable of copying ordubbing digital musical data such as an MD system and a DAT (digitalaudio tape) system, plural times of dubbing are prohibited by the SCMS(serial copy management system).

However, in view of the current circumstances, that is, the spread ofpersonal computers, the diversification of data interfaces, and thedevelopment and diversification of data communication forms, mereprohibition of plural times of dubbing is insufficient for copyrightprotection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a reproducing apparatuswhich copies or moves main data that has been subjected toreproduction-restrictive coding from a first recording medium where themain data is recorded to a second recording medium, comprising storingmeans for storing a key to be used for deciphering a code that restrictsreproduction of the main data; input means for receiving the main datafrom the first recording medium; judging means for judging whether themain data received by the input means can be decoded by using the keythat is stored in the storing means; output means for outputting themain data received by the input means to the second recording medium;and control means for causing the output means to output the main datareceived by the input means to the second recording medium if thejudging means judges that the main data can be decoded, and forprohibiting the output means from outputting the main data received bythe input means to the second recording medium if judging means judgesthat the main data cannot be decoded.

Another object of the invention is to provide an informationdistribution system comprising a server apparatus capable of beingconnected to a terminal apparatus, for supplying coded main data to theterminal apparatus, the server apparatus comprising memory means forrecording one or a plurality of coded main data; and transmitting meansfor transmitting, to the terminal apparatus, coded main data that isread out from the memory means; and the terminal apparatus for decodingand reproducing coded main data, the terminal apparatus comprisingreceiving means for receiving the coded main data that is transmittedfrom the transmitting means of the server apparatus; recording means forrecording coded main data; decoding means for decoding the coded maindata that is received by the receiving means or recorded in therecording means; judging means for judging whether the terminalapparatus is connected to the server apparatus; and control means forpermitting the decoding means to decode the coded main data that isreceived by the receiving means when the judging means judges that theterminal apparatus is connected to the server apparatus, and forpermitting the decoding means to decode the coded main data that isrecorded in the recording means when the judging means judges that theterminal apparatus is not connected to the server apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D are a front view, a side view, a plan view, and a bottomview, respectively, showing the outer shape of a plate-like memoryaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2E are a plan view, a top view, a left-hand side view, aright-hand side view, and a bottom view, respectively, showing anexample appearance of a drive apparatus according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the drive apparatus according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 4 shows an example of connection of a system including the driveapparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows data flows in recording, reproducing, copying, and movingoperations according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows copying and movement operations according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process on the personal computer side ofoperation (3) according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process on the drive apparatus side ofoperation (3) according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process on the personal computer side ofoperation (6) according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process on the drive apparatus side ofoperation (6) according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process on the personal computer sideof operation (8) according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process on the drive apparatus side ofoperation (8) according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a system according to a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a personal-computer-side processaccording to the second embodiment that is executed in producing a copyof an audio file in a plate-like memory;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a drive-apparatus-side process accordingto the second embodiment that is executed in producing a copy of theaudio file in the plate-like memory;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a system according to the secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a plate-like-memory-side processaccording to the second embodiment that is executed in returning the useright of an audio file to a personal computer;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a drive-apparatus-side process accordingto the second embodiment that is executed in returning the use right ofthe audio file to the personal computer; and

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a personal-computer-side processaccording to the second embodiment that is executed in returning the useright of the audio file to the personal computer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described. Inthe embodiment, a plate-like memory having a plate-like outer shape, aCD, an MD, a CD-ROM, or the like is an example of a recording mediumcorresponding to the first recording medium according to the invention,and an HDD in a personal computer is an example of a recording mediumcorresponding to the second recording medium according to the invention.

A drive apparatus capable of performing recording and reproduction on aplate-like memory is an example of the first apparatus and the dataprocessing apparatus according to the invention and a personal computeris an example of the second apparatus according to the invention.

The description will be made according to the following order:

-   -   1. Plate-like memory    -   2. Configuration of drive apparatus    -   3. Example of system connection    -   4. Data recording, reproducing, copying, and moving operations        (1)-(8)    -   5. Operations involving recording in HDD        -   5-1 Operation (3)        -   5-2 Operation (4)        -   5-3 Operation (5)    -   6. Operations involving reproduction from HDD        -   6-1 operation (6)        -   6-2 Operation (7)        -   6-3 Operation (8).            1. Plate-Like Memory

First, the outer shape of a plate-like memory 1 that is a recordingmedium used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.1A-1D.

For example, the plate-like memory 1 has a memory device having aprescribed capacity in a plate-like body as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. Inthis embodiment, the memory device is a flash memory.

The body, which is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D that are a front view, a sideview, a plan view, and a bottom view, respectively, is a plastic mold.Specific examples of its dimensions are such that widths W11, W12, andW13 (see FIG. 1) are 60 mm, 20 mm, and 2.8 mm, respectively.

A terminal portion 2 having nine electrodes, for example, is formed onthe body so as to extend from a lower portion of the front surface to afront portion of the bottom surface. A read or write operation on theinternal memory device is performed through the terminal portion 2.

The body is formed with a cut portion 3 at the top-left corner (in theplan view). The cut portion 3 is formed to prevent the plate-like memory1 from being mounted in, for example, an attachment/detachment mechanismof the drive apparatus main body side in an erroneous insertiondirection.

To improve the ease of use, the bottom surface of the body is formedwith a projection/recess portion 4 for slip prevention. The bottomsurface is also formed with a slide switch 5 for preventing erroneouserasure of recorded contents.

In the plate-like memory 1 having the above structure, it is prescribedthat the flash memory capacity is one of 4 MB (megabytes), 8 MB, 16 MB,32 MB, 64 MB, and 128 MB.

What is called a FAT (file allocation table) system is used as a filesystem for data recording and reproduction.

2. Configuration of Drive Apparatus

The configuration of a drive apparatus 20 according to the embodimentwhich can perform recording and reproducing operations on the aboveplate-like memory 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2E and3.

A variety of main data can be handled by the drive apparatus 20 as asubject of writing or reading on the plate-like memory 1. Examples ofsuch main data are moving picture data, still picture data, voice data,audio data of a CD or the like, and control data.

As described later, in the system according to the 1S embodiments, thedrive apparatus 20 is a section that codes data at the time of copyingor movement and performs decoding at the time of reproduction.

FIGS. 2A-2E are a plan view, a top view, a left-hand side view, aright-hand side view, and a bottom view of an example appearance of thedrive apparatus 20.

For example, the drive apparatus 20 is made small and light so that auser can carry it easily.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the plate-like memory 1 is mounted in anattachment/detachment mechanism 22 that is formed in the top portion ofthe drive apparatus 20. The drive apparatus 20 records or reproducesvarious data such as musical data, voice data, moving image data, stillimage data, computer data, and control data to or from the plate-likememory 1.

The front surface of the drive apparatus 20 is formed with a displaysection 21 such as a liquid display panel where a reproduced image orcharacters, information associated with a reproduced voice or music, amanipulation guide message-, or the like is displayed.

Various terminals are formed for connection to various apparatuses(described later).

For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the top surface is formed with aheadphone terminal 23 and a microphone input terminal 25. When aheadphone is connected to the headphone terminal 23, a reproductionaudio signal is supplied to the headphone and a user can listen to areproduction audio output. When a microphone audio output is connectedto the microphone input terminal 25, the drive apparatus 20 can capturea voice signal collected by the microphone and record it in theplate-like memory 1, for example.

As shown in FIG. 2D, the right-hand side surface of the body is formedwith a line output terminal 24, a line input terminal 26, a digitalinput terminal 27, etc.

When an external apparatus is connected to the line output terminal 24via an audio cable, a reproduction audio signal can be supplied to theexternal apparatus. For example, when an audio amplifier is connected tothe line output terminal 24, a user can listen to music or voice, with aspeaker system, that is reproduced from the plate-like memory 1.Alternatively, when a Mini disc recorder or a tape recorder is connectedto the line output terminal 24, music or voice that is reproduced fromthe plate-like memory 1 can be dubbed to another medium.

When an external apparatus is connected to the line input terminal 26,it becomes possible to capture an audio signal that is supplied from theexternal apparatus such as a CD player and record it in the plate-likememory 1, for example.

Further, digital audio data that is transmitted via an optical cable canbe input through the digital input terminal 27. For example, if anexternal CD player or the like is capable of outputting digital data,what is called digital dubbing is enabled by connecting it to thedigital input terminal 27 via an optical cable.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the left-hand side surface of thedrive apparatus 20 is formed with a USB (universal serial bus) connector28, a power terminal 29, etc.

The USB connector 28 enables various kinds of communication and datatransmission with USB-conformable apparatuses such as a personalcomputer having a USB interface.

The drive apparatus 20 according to the embodiment holds, for example, adry cell or a rechargeable battery inside as an operation power source.Operation power can also be obtained from an external commercial AC lineby connecting an AC adaptor to the power terminal 29.

The above-described kinds, number, and arrangement positions ofterminals are just examples and terminals may be provided in differentmanners than described above.

For example, a digital output terminal capable of accommodating anoptical cable may be provided. Further, a SCSI connector, a serial port,an RS-232C connector, an IEEE connector, etc. may be formed.

No description is made of terminal structures because they are known.However, it is noted that it is possible to commonize theabove-mentioned headphone terminal 23 and line output terminal 24 into asingle terminal, or commonize those terminals 23 and 24 with a digitaloutput terminal. Similarly, it is possible to commonize the microphoneinput terminal 25, the line input terminal 26, and the digital inputterminal 27 into a single terminal.

The drive apparatus 20 is provided with manipulators to be used by auser, such as a manipulation lever 31, a stop key 23, a record key 33, amenu key 34, a volume-up key 35, a volume-down key 36, and a hold key37.

The manipulation lever 31 is a manipulator that can be turned at leastin the vertical direction; it may further be made depressible.Manipulation modes of the manipulation lever 31 enable a manipulationfor reproducing musical data or the like, an REW and AMS manipulation(fast rewind/head search) an FF and AMS manipulation (fast feed/headsearch), etc.

The stop key 32 is a key for ordering a stop of a reproducing orrecording operation of musical data or the like. The record key 33 is akey for ordering a recording operation of musical data or the like. Themenu key 34 is a key to be used for editing of musical data or the likeand mode setting. The volume-up key 35 and the volume-down key 36 arekeys for ordering increase and decrease, respectively, of the outputsound volume in reproduction of musical data or the like.

The hold key 37 is a key for enabling or disabling themanipulation-receiving functions of the respective keys. For example,the manipulation-receiving functions of the respective keys are disabledby the hold key 37 when there is a possibility that a key is depressedinadvertently during carriage and an erroneous operation is therebycaused.

Naturally, the above manipulation keys are just examples. Othermanipulators such as a cursor movement key, numeral keys, and amanipulation dial such as a JOG dial may be provided.

A power-on/off key was not described above. It is possible to dispensewith a power key by making the manipulation lever 31, for example, servealso as a power-on key and providing a process of turning off the powerif a prescribed time has elapsed from a manipulation on the stop key 32.Naturally, a power key may be provided.

The number, kinds, positions of manipulators provided may be determinedin a wide variety of manners. However, by preparing a minimum-necessarynumber of manipulators in the manner shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, the number ofkeys is decreased and hence the size and the cost of the apparatus arereduced and the ease of operation is improved.

FIG. 3 shows the internal configuration of the drive apparatus 20.

A CPU 41, which is a central control section of the drive apparatus 20,controls the operations of the respective sections described below.

A ROM 41 a storing, for example, an operation program and variousconstants and a RAM 41 b as a work area are provided in the CPU 41.

A manipulation section 30 corresponds to the various manipulators 31-37described above. The CPU 41 performs a control operation that isprescribed by the operation program in accordance with manipulationinput information supplied from the manipulation section 30.

A flash memory 48 is also provided. The CPU 41 can store, in the flashmemory 48, system setting information relating to various operationssuch as a music recording mode, a reproduction volume, and a displaymode, and other information.

In particular, in this embodiment, a terminal key as an identifier isset in the form of a code that is different from one drive apparatus 20to another. The terminal key is held by the flash memory 48.

By giving a SAM 50 (described later) the terminal key that is read outfrom the flash memory 48, the CPU 41 causes the SAM 50 to perform codingor decoding.

A real time clock 44, which is what is called a clock section, keepstime to indicate the current date and time. The CPU 41 can check thecurrent date and time based on date/time data that is supplied from thereal time clock 44.

A USB interface 43 is a communication interface with an externalapparatus that is connected to the USB connector 28. The CPU 41 canperform data communication with an external personal computer or thelike via the USB interface 43. For example, control data, computer data,image data, audio data, or the like is transmitted or received.

A regulator 46 and a DC/DC converter 47 are provided as power sections.When the power is to be turned on, the CPU 41 instructs the regulator 46to turn on the power. In response to the instruction, the regulator 46starts supply of power from a battery (a dry cell or rechargeablebattery). Alternatively., where an AC adaptor is connected to the powerterminal 29, the regulator 46 starts supply of power from the ACadaptor.

A power source voltage that is output from the regulator 46 is convertedby the DC/DC converter 47 into a prescribed voltage value, which issupplied to the individual blocks as an operation power source voltageVcc.

When the plate-like memory 1 is mounted in the attachment/detachmentmechanism 22, the CPU 41 can access the plate-like memory 1 via a memoryinterface 42 and hence can perform recording, reproduction, editing, orthe like of various data.

By controlling a display driver 45, the CPU 41 can cause the displaysection 21 to display a prescribed image. For example, a menu or a guidefor manipulation by a user, the contents of files that are recorded inthe plate-like memory 1, or like information is displayed. For example,where image data of a moving picture or a still picture is recorded inthe plate-like memory 1, the image data can be read out and displayed onthe display section 21.

As described above, in the embodiment, the digital input terminal 27,the microphone input terminal 25, the line input terminal 26, theheadphone terminal 23, and the line output terminal 24 are formed forinput/output of a musical signal or a voice signal as an audio signal.

The SAM (security application module: coding/expansion processingsection) 50, a DSP (digital signal processor) 49, ananalog-to-digital/digital-to-analog conversion section (ADDA conversionsection) 54, a power amplifier 56, a microphone amplifier 53, an opticalinput module 51, and a digital input section 52 are provided as an audiosignal processing system for the above terminals.

The SAM 50 performs coding or decoding of data that is exchanged betweenthe CPU 41 and the DSP 49 as well as exchanges, with the CPU 41, theencryption key that is an identifier and also called a terminal key.That is, the SAM 50 performs coding and decoding by using the terminalkey.

The coding and decoding by the SAM 50 may be enabled for data other thanmusical data.

The DSP 49 compresses or expands audio data based on a command suppliedfrom the CPU 41.

The digital input section 52 performs input interface processing ondigital audio data that is captured by the optical input module 51.

The ADDA conversion section 54 performs A/D conversion or D/A conversionon an audio signal.

An audio signal is input or output in the following manner by the aboveblocks.

A signal that has been supplied as digital audio data from an externalapparatus to the digital input terminal 27 via an optical cable isphotoelectrically converted and captured by the optical input module 51,and then subjected to a receiving operation in the digital input section52 according to a transmission format. The digital audio data thusreceived and extracted is compressed by the DSP 49, supplied to the CPU41, and then made data to be recorded in the plate-like memory 1, forexample.

When a microphone is connected to the microphone input terminal 25, aninput audio signal is amplified by the microphone amplifier 53,A/D-converted by the ADDA conversion section 54, and then supplied tothe DSP 49 as digital audio data. The digital audio data is compressedby the DSP 49, supplied to the CPU 41, and then made data to be recordedin the plate-like memory 1, for example.

An input audio signal coming from an external apparatus that isconnected to the line input terminal 26 is A/D-converted by the ADDAconversion section 54 and then supplied to the DSP 49 as digital audiodata. The digital audio data is compressed by the DSP 49, supplied tothe CPU 41, and then made data to be recorded in the plate-like memory1, for example.

On the other hand, when audio data that is read out from the plate-likememory 1, for example, is to be output, the CPU 41 causes the DSP 49 toexpand the audio data. The digital audio data thus processed isconverted into an analog audio signal by the ADDA conversion section 54and then supplied to the power amplifier 56. The power amplifier 56performs amplification for supply to a headphone or line output andsupplies an amplified signal to the headphone terminal 23 or the lineoutput terminal 24.

As described later, the drive apparatus 20 can causes the USB interface43 to supply audio data as compressed data that is read out from theplate-like memory 1 or audio data that is captured via the digital inputterminal 27, the microphone input terminal 25, or the line inputterminal 26 and then compressed to an external apparatus such as apersonal computer via the USB terminal 28 after coding it with the SAM50.

Further, the drive apparatus 20 can supply audio data that was capturedfrom an external apparatus that is connected to the USB terminal 28 backto the external apparatus via the USB terminal 28 after coding it withthe SAM 50.

Each of the above operations is performed in copying or moving audiodata, an example of which is an operation that is performed in recordingcoded audio data in the HDD or the like of a personal computer as anexternal apparatus (described later in detail).

For example, as described later, in reproducing data that was copied ormoved in the above manner, reproduced coded data is input to the driveapparatus 20 via the USB interface 53. In this case, the CPU 41 causesthe SAM 50 to decode the audio data. The decoded audio data is recordedin the plate-like memory 1, output from the headphone terminal 23 or theline output terminal 24 after being expanded by the DSP 49, ortransmitted to an external apparatus such as a personal computer via theUSB interface 43.

The configuration of the drive apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 3 is just anexample and the invention is not limited to it.

For example, it is conceivable to incorporate a speaker for output ofaudio data and perform audio output by supplying an output of the poweramplifier 56 to the speaker.

In the embodiment, in the following description of copying and movementoperations, audio data is used as an example of main data that is asubject of a copying or movement operation. However, as described above,the drive apparatus 20 can deal with not only audio data but also othervarious data, to which the copying and movement operations that will bedescribed bellow can also be applied.

3. Example of System Connection

FIG. 4 shows an example of system connection in which the driveapparatus 20 serves as the center.

A system according to the invention is constructed in such a manner thatat least the drive apparatus 20 and a personal computer 11 are connectedto each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. A varietyof operations can be realized by connecting other various apparatuses tothe system.

As described above, when mounted with a plate-like memory 1, the driveapparatus 20 can record or reproduce data to or from the plate-likememory 1.

For example, when a plate-like memory 1 in which musical data isrecorded is mounted in the drive apparatus 20, a user can enjoyreproduced music by connecting a headphone 12 to the drive apparatus 20as shown in FIG. 4.

When a CD player 10, for example, as an external reproducing apparatusis connected to the line input terminal 26 or the digital input terminal27 via a cable 13, the drive apparatus 20 can capture a reproductionaudio signal from the CD player 10 and record it in the plate-likememory 1.

Although not shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible to connect amicrophone to the drive apparatus 20 and record a collected voice in theplate-like memory 1, or to connect a recording apparatus such as an MDrecorder to the drive apparatus 20, supply data to the recordingapparatus, and record the data on a recording medium that is mounted inthe recording apparatus.

When the drive apparatus 20 is connected to an information apparatussuch as the personal computer 11 via a USB (universal serial bus) cable14, it is possible to record data supplied from the personal computer 11in the plate-like memory 1 or transfer data reproduced from theplate-like memory 1 to the personal computer 11 for copying or movement.For example, the destination of copying or movement is an HDD 11 a inthe personal computer 11.

A speaker 11 b and a CD-ROM drive 11 c are shown in the personalcomputer 11. Operations using those components will be described later.

As described above, when connected to one of various apparatuses, thedrive apparatus 20 makes it possible to perform recording orreproduction in a state also suitable for carriage. Or a systemoperation can be performed when the drive apparatus 20 is connected toan apparatus that is installed in a home or at a place of work.

The drive apparatus 20 of the embodiment has the display section 21. Byusing the display section 21, the drive apparatus 20 can reproduce, byitself, document data, image data, or the like recorded in theplate-like memory 1.

Although not provided in the above-described drive apparatus 20 of theembodiment, if a built-in microphone or speaker is provided, the driveapparatus 20 can reproduce or record, by itself, music, voice, or amoving picture from or in the plate-like memory 1.

Further, although in this embodiment the plate-like memory 1 is mountedin the drive apparatus 20 in a detachable manner, another configurationis possible in which a built-in nonvolatile memory such as a flashmemory (the plate-like memory 1 also uses a flash memory) is providedinside the drive apparatus 20 and audio data or the like to be recordedor reproduced is stored in the built-in nonvolatile memory.

As described above, a variety of modes of use of the drive apparatus 20can be realized such as independent use and a system operation in whichthe drive apparatus 20 is connected to the personal computer 11 or thelike.

Incidentally, a statement was made above to the effect that the terminalkey unique to the drive apparatus 20 is stored in the flash memory 48.For example, as shown in FIG. 4, drive apparatuses 20, 20A, 20B, . . .store respective terminal keys TMK1, TMK2, TMK3, . . . as different codenumbers.

4. Data Recording, Reducing, Copying, and Moving Operations (1)-(8)

FIG. 5 schematically shows, as operations (1)-(8), data flows in variousoperation examples of recording, reproduction, copying, and movement onmain data such as audio data in the drive apparatus 20 of the embodimentor a system in which the drive apparatus 20 is connected to anotherapparatus.

FIG. 5, which includes the plate-like memory 1, the drive apparatus 20,the personal computer 11, an input source apparatus 100, and an outputdestination apparatus 101, shows data flows.

The input source apparatus 100 is an apparatus other than the personalcomputer 11 and the plate-like memory 1 that is connected to the driveapparatus 20 and supplies audio data to the drive apparatus 20. Forexample, the input source apparatus 100 is a reproducing apparatus suchas a CD player 10 shown in FIG. 4 or a microphone to be connected to themicrophone input terminal 25 of the drive apparatus 20.

The output destination apparatus 101 is an apparatus other than thepersonal computer 11 and the plate-like memory 1 that is connected tothe drive apparatus 20 and supplied with audio data by the driveapparatus 20. For example, the output destination apparatus 101 is theheadphone 12 shown in FIG. 4, a speaker system (not shown), or arecording apparatus such as an MD recorder.

Operation (1) is a reproducing operation on the plate-like memory 1 thatis performed by the drive apparatus 20, that is, an operation that thedrive apparatus 20 reads out an audio data file that is recorded in themounted plate-like memory 1 and the output destination apparatus 101outputs it as an audio output. To this end, as described above, thedrive apparatus 20 reads out audio data via the memory interface 42 andoutputs it to the output destination apparatus 101 via the headphoneterminal 23 or the line output terminal 24 after subjecting it toprocessing in the DSP 49, the ADDA conversion section 54, and the poweramplifier 56.

Operation (2) is a recording operation on the plate-like memory 1 thatis performed by the drive apparatus 20, that is, an operation that thedrive apparatus 20 records audio data supplied from the input sourceapparatus 100 in the mounted plate-like memory 1. To this end, asdescribed above, the drive apparatus 20 writes audio data that is inputvia the microphone input terminal 25, the line input terminal 26, or thedigital input terminal 27 and then compressed by the DSP 49 to theplate-like memory 1 via the memory interface 42.

Operations (3), (4), and (5) are operations that audio data is recordedin the HDD 11 a of the personal computer 11.

First, operation (3) is an operation that audio data recorded in theplate-like memory 1 is copied or moved to the HDD 11 a.

In this case, the drive apparatus 20 reads out an audio data filerecorded in the mounted plate-like memory 1 via the memory interface 42and codes the data with the SAM 50. The drive apparatus 20 supplies thecoded audio data to the personal computer 11 via the USB interface 43.The personal computer 11 records the received coded audio data in theHDD 11 a.

Operation (4) is an operation that audio data recorded on a recordingmedium such as a CD that is mounted in a CD player as the input sourceapparatus 100 is copied or moved to the HDD 11 a.

In this case, the drive apparatus 20 causes the SAM 50 to code audiodata that is input via, for example, the microphone input terminal 25,the line input terminal 26, or the digital input terminal 27 and thencompressed by the DSP 49. The drive apparatus 20 supplies the codedaudio data to the personal computer 11 via the USB interface 43. Thepersonal computer 11 records the received coded audio data in the HDD 11a.

Operation (5) is an operation that audio data recorded on a recordingmedium such as a CD or a CD-ROM that is mounted in another reproducingapparatus such as a CD-ROM drive 11 c incorporated in the personalcomputer 11 is copied or moved to the HDD 11 a.

In this case, the drive apparatus 20 captures, via the USB interface 43,audio data that is reproduced by the CD-ROM drive 11 c in the personalcomputer 11 and then transmitted, and then causes the SAM 50 to code thecaptured audio data. The drive apparatus 20 supplies the coded audiodata to the personal computer 11 via the USB interface 43. The personalcomputer 11 records the received coded audio data in the HDD 11 a.

Operations (6), (7), and (8) are operations of reproducing audio datafrom the HDD 11 a that is performed by the personal computer 11, thatis, operations of reproducing coded audio data that was recorded by oneof the above operations (3), (4), and (5).

Operation (6) is an operation of reproducing and outputting coded audiodata that is read out from the HDD 11 a from the output destinationapparatus 101 via the drive apparatus 20.

In this case, the drive apparatus 20 captures, via the USB interface 43,audio data reproduced from the HDD 11 a in the personal computer 11 andthen transmitted and causes the SAM 50 to decode the audio data. Thedrive apparatus 20 outputs the decoded audio data to the outputdestination apparatus 101 from the headphone terminal 23 or the lineoutput terminal 24 after subjecting it to processing by the DSP 49, theADDA conversion section 54, and the power amplifier 56.

Operation (7) is an operation of reproducing and outputting coded audiodata that is read out from the HDD 11 a from the speaker 116 of thepersonal computer 11 via the drive apparatus 20.

In this case, the drive apparatus 20 captures, via the USB interface 43,audio data reproduced from the HDD 11 a in the personal computer 11 andthen transmitted and causes the SAM 50 to decode the audio data. Thedrive apparatus 20 causes the DSP 49 to expand the decoded audio dataand transmits the expanded audio data to the personal computer 11 viathe USB interface 43. The personal computer 11 reproduces and outputsthe audio data thus received from the speaker 11 b.

If the personal computer 11 side has the expansion function of the DSP49, the personal computer 11 side may perform the expansion.

Operation (8) is an operation that the drive apparatus 20 records, inthe plate-like memory 1, coded audio data that is read out from the HDD11 a. That is, operation (8) is a copying or movement operation in thereverse direction to that as the above-described operation (3). Forexample, in operation (8), audio data that was moved from the plate-likememory 1 to the HDD 11 a by operation (3) is moved to the plate-likememory 1 to restore the original state.

In this case, the drive apparatus 20 captures, via the USB interface 43,audio data reproduced from the HDD 11 a in the personal computer 11 andthen transmitted and causes the SAM 50 to decode the audio data. Thedrive apparatus 20 writes the decoded audio data to the plate-likememory 1 via the memory interface 42.

Although classification into operations (1)-(8) has been made above forthe sake of convenience of description, copying and movement operationsas system operations of the embodiment, that is, operations involvingcoding or decoding using the terminal key of the drive apparatus 20 areoperations (3)-(8).

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing those copying and movementoperations.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, files ADF1, ADF2, . . . of music dataor the like as audio data are recorded in the plate-like memory 1.

A management file for managing those files is also recorded. Themanagement file manages addresses as pointer information, file numbers,file names, file lengths of the respective audio data files ADF1, ADF2,. . . .

An additional data file containing additional data of the respectiveaudio data files ADF1, ADF2, . . . may also be recorded. The additionaldata is information associated with a song, such as a song name, anartist name, words, and a message.

To copy, for example, the audio data file ADF1 from the plate-likememory 1 by the above-described operation (3), as shown in FIG. 6, audiodata that is read out as the audio data file ADF1 is coded by using theterminal key and a resulting data file S-ADF1 of coded audio data iswritten to the HDD 11 a. The additional data relating to the audio datafile ADF1 may also be read out and recorded in the HDD 11 a side. By notcoding the additional data, the song name etc. of audio data that hasbeen copied to the HDD 11 a can be displayed to a user on the personalcomputer 11 side, for example.

Audio data that is input by operation (4) or (5) is also recorded in theHDD 11 a after being coded.

Although the personal computer 11 can ordinarily handle the file itselfof the coded audio data file S-ADF1 that is recorded in the HDD 11 a,actually the personal computer 11 cannot reproduce it as it is.

For example, since the personal computer 11 handles the coded audio datafile S-ADF1 as a one ordinary file recorded in the HDD 11 a, thepersonal computer 11 can copy or move it to another recording mediumsuch as another HDD, a floppy disc, or a magneto-optical disc ortransmit it as communication data.

However, since the audio data itself is coded and the terminal key thatis necessary for decoding it is recognized by only the drive apparatus20 that coded it, neither the personal computer 11 nor other apparatusescannot decode it by themselves. Therefore, even if the audio data isoutput as reproduction audio, the reproduction audio is notrecognizable.

Therefore, to reproduce the coded audio data file S-ADF1, it isnecessary to connect the drive apparatus 20 that was used in theprevious copying or movement operation to the personal computer 11.

In this state, as described above as operation (6), (7), or (8), thecoded audio data file S-ADF1 that is read out from the HDD 11 a istransmitted to the drive apparatus 20 and the drive apparatus 20 decodesit by using the terminal key into decoded audio data, which isreproduced and output or recorded in the plate-like memory 1 as shown inFIG. 6.

As described above in connection with FIG. 4, the drive apparatus 20 hasits own code as a terminal key. That is, other drive apparatuses 20 havedifferent code numbers as terminal keys.

Therefore, a certain drive apparatus 20 can decode only data that wascoded by the same drive apparatus 20 and then copied or moved.

In other words, the coded audio data file S-ADF1 that is recorded in theHDD 11 a can be reproduced by only the user himself who owns the driveapparatus 20 that recorded the file S-ADF1 by a copying or movementoperation.

This means that copied or moved main data can be used, that is,reproduced, only within the confines of personal duplication by a user,and hence copyright infringement of musical data etc. can be preventedvery effectively.

On the other hand, as described above, a user is free to copy the codedaudio data file S-ADF1 itself to another recording medium or transmitit. And the user himself can reproduce the audio data by connecting hisown drive apparatus 20 to the drive of the recording medium or atransmission destination apparatus.

That is, various forms of data use and data carriage are enabled withinthe confines of personal use of a user, whereby the ease of use of theuser can be improved.

Further, for example, data that is high in secrecy to a user is notreproducible by persons other than the user himself, that is, the personwho owns the drive apparatus 20. Therefore, a secrecy protection effectcan be obtained as well as the copyright protection effect.

The terminal key that is used for coding or decoding audio data isstored in the drive apparatus 20 and coding or decoding is necessarilyperformed in the drive apparatus 20. That is, the terminal key is nottransferred to another apparatus at the time of a copying or movementoperation. Further, at other time points, there is no necessity fortransmitting the terminal key to the outside of the drive apparatus 20.

This means that the terminal key does not go out of the drive apparatus20 at all. It is impossible to steal the code number of the terminal keyin a communication process or to make the terminal key usable in acopying or movement destination apparatus. Thus, the security againstdecoding is very high.

5. Operations Involving Recording in HDD

Example processes of the above-described operations (3)-(8) will bedescribed below. First, operations (3), (4), and (5) will be describedhere as operations involving recording in the HDD 11 a.

5-1 Operation (3)

As operation (3), an operation of copying or moving main data such as anaudio data file recorded in the plate-like memory 1 to the HDD 11 a ofthe personal computer 11, will be described with reference to FIGS. 7and 8.

FIG. 7 shows a process on the personal computer 11 side and FIG. 8 showsa process that is executed by the CPU 41 of the drive apparatus 20.

As described above, a copying or movement operation as operation (3) isperformed in a state that the drive apparatus 20 is connected to thepersonal computer 11. In this state, a user causes a copying or movementoperation by performing manipulations using, for example, the personalcomputer 11 side (e.g., manipulations using input devices of thepersonal computer 11 such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown)).

When the user has performed manipulations for copying or movement on thepersonal computer 11, the process of the personal computer 11 proceedsfrom step F101 to step F102 (see FIG. 7). At step F102, first thepersonal computer 11 checks whether the drive apparatus 20 is connectedto it.

Specifically, the personal computer 11 transmits a status requestcommand (communication C1) to the CPU 41 of the drive apparatus 20 viathe USB interface. At step F103, the personal computer 11 waits for astatus reply (communication C2).

When the CPU 41 of the drive apparatus 20 receives the status requestcommand (communication C1), the process proceeds from step F201 to stepF202 (see FIG. 8). At step F202, the CPU 41 causes transmission of dataindicating a current status. Specifically, the data indicates whether aplate-like memory 1 is mounted in the drive apparatus 20 and whether astate has been established that audio data or the like can be read outfrom the plate-like memory 1 and read-out data can be transmitted to thepersonal computer 11.

When the personal computer 11 receives the status data at step F103 inFIG. 7, at step F104 the personal computer 11 checks the status contentand checks whether a proper connection state for copying or movement isestablished.

Although not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in detail, if no status data isreceived from the drive apparatus 20 in response to the status requestcommand for a prescribed time or more, or if it is detected that theterminal state of the USB connector (e g., the voltages of therespective terminals) is a disconnection state, the personal computer 11judges that the drive apparatus 20 is not connected to it and errortermination is made after execution of step F104.

Error termination is also made when status data is received from thedrive apparatus 20 but it indicates an improper state. Examples are suchthat the plate-like memory 1 is not mounted in the drive apparatus 20and that the drive apparatus 20 is performing another recordingoperation, in which cases the drive apparatus 20 cannot deal with acopying or movement operation.

When it has been confirmed by the status check that a proper connectionstate is established, the process of the personal computer 11 goes tostep F105, where the personal computer 11 transmits a content checkcommand (communication C3) to the CPU 41. At step F106, the personalcomputer 11 waits for a reply (communication C4) to the content checkcommand.

When the content check command (communication C3) is received, theprocess of the CPU 41 goes from step F203 to step F204 (see FIG. 8). Atstep F204, the CPU 41 reads out the management file of audio data filesor the like stored in the plate-like memory 1 via the memory interface42 and checks the main data (e.g., audio data) stored in the plate-likememory 1. For example, the CPU 41 captures song names of the audio data.The CPU 41 generates content data as a list of the song names etc. andtransmits the content data (communication C4) to the personal computer11.

When the personal computer 11 receives the content data, the processgoes to step F107 in FIG. 7, where the personal computer 11 displays alist of song names that can be copied or moved on the display screenbased on the content data, as well as a request for selection of a songto be copied or moved.

In response, the user performs a manipulation for selecting a song. Inresponse to the manipulation for selection, the process of the personalcomputer 11 goes from step F108 to step F109, where the personalcomputer 11 transmits, to the CPU 41, a command (communication C5)instructing the CPU 41 to perform copying or movement of a song as theselected file.

At step F110, the personal computer 11 waits for a start of datatransmission from the drive apparatus 20.

When the CPU 41 receives the command (communication C5) instructing theCPU 41 to perform copying or movement, the process goes from step F205to step F206, where the audio data as the selected file is read out fromthe plate-like memory 1 and then transmitted.

Specifically, as described above, the CPU 41 starts readout of thesubject audio data file via the memory interface 42. In advance, the CPU41 reads out the terminal key from the flash memory 48 and transfers itto the SAM 50. The CPU 41 causes audio data that is read out from theplate-like memory 1 to be transferred to the SAM 50 by a prescribedamount each time and causes the SAM to code it using the terminal key.

The CPU 41 causes coded audio data produced by the SAM 50 through codingto be transferred to the USB interface 43, which transmits the codedaudio data (communication C6) to the personal computer 11.

When the transmission of the above coded audio data is started on thedrive apparatus 20 side, the process of the personal computer 11 goes tostep F111 in FIG. 7, where the personal computer 11 receives thetransmitted data and writes it to the HDD 11 a.

The coded audio data is written to the HDD 11 a by execution of stepF206 by the CPU 41 and step F111 by the personal computer 11.

After completion of the readout from the plate-like memory 1, coding,and transmission of the audio data as the subject of copying ormovement, the process of the CPU 41 goes from step F207 to step F208,where end processing is performed. Then, the execution of the series ofsteps is finished.

After completion of the writing of the transmitted coded audio data, theprocess of the personal computer 11 goes from step F112 to step F113,where end processing is performed. Then, the execution of the series ofsteps is finished.

Examples of the end processing at steps F113 and F208 are the CPU 41'stransmitting, to the personal computer 11, status data indicatingcompletion of the transmission, the personal computer 11's reportingnormal completion of the writing to the HDD 11 a, and the personalcomputer 11's updating the directories of the HDD 11 a. When theoperation performed was movement rather than copying, the CPU 41 erasesthe audio data as the subject of the movement operation from theplate-like memory 1.

The copying or movement operation as operation (3) is realized by theabove-described processes of FIGS. 7 and 8. That is, an operation ofcoding main data in the plate-like memory 1 and storing resulting codedmain data in the HDD 11 a is performed.

5-2 Operation (4)

Next, operation (4) will be described, which is an operation of copyingor moving main data from the input source apparatus 100 (see FIG. 5) tothe HDD 11 a via the drive apparatus 20. The drive apparatus 20 performsintermediary processing.

However, copying or movement is performed after the connection statebetween the personal computer 11 and the drive apparatus 20 is checkedby basically the same processing as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

For example, if a system is constructed in which the personal computer11 and the drive apparatus 20 can perform data communication with a CDplayer or the like as the input source apparatus 100, steps F105-F108 inFIG. 7 and steps F203-F204 in FIG. 8 are rendered executable. The CPU 41receives information of the contents of recorded songs from a CD playeror the like and the personal computer 11 side displays it in the form ofa list to allow selection by a user.

However, if data communication cannot be performed as in a case where aCD player or the like is connected to the drive apparatus 20 merely byan audio cable, a song that the user causes the CD player to reproduceis made a subject of copying or movement.

Steps F109-F113 in FIG. 7 and steps F205-F208 in FIG. 8 may also beexecuted in this case. However, operation (4) is different from theabove-described operation (3) in that the CPU 41 causes coding andtransmission at step F206 in response to input of audio data from the CDplayer or the like.

That is, in this case, when input of audio data via the digital inputterminal 27 or the line input terminal 26 is started, the CPU 41 causesthe DSP 49 to compress the audio data. Then, the CPU 41 causes the SAM50 to code resulting compressed audio data and then transmit resultingcoded audio data to the USB interface 43. Then, the CPU 41 causes theUSB interface 43 to transmit the coded audio data to the personalcomputer 11.

The copying or movement operation as operation (4) is realized in thismanner. That is, an operation of coding main data that is reproduced byan external reproducing apparatus such as a CD player or an MD playerand then storing resulting coded main data in the HDD 11 a is performed.

5-3 Operation (5)

Operation (5) is an operation of coding main data that is output fromthe CD-ROM drive 11 c of the computer 11 in the drive apparatus 20 andthen copying or moving resulting coded main data to the HDD 11 a.

Also in this case, copying or movement is performed after the connectionstate between the personal computer 11 and the drive apparatus 20 ischecked by basically the same processing as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The personal computer 11 side allows a user to select main data as asubject of copying or movement by displaying, in the form of a list, thecontents of a CD or a CD-ROM mounted in the CD-ROM drive 11 c.

Steps F109-F113 in FIG. 7 and steps F205-F208 in FIG. 8 are alsoexecuted in this case in basically the same manners. However, operation(5) is different from the above-described operation (3) in that the CPU41 causes coding and transmission at step F206 in response to input ofaudio data from the personal computer 11.

That is, in this case, when input of audio data via the USB interface 43is started after reception of a copy or move command from the personalcomputer 11, the CPU 41 causes the DSP 49 to compress the audio data(when necessary). Then, the CPU 41 causes the SAM 50 to code resultingcompressed audio data and then transmit resulting coded audio data tothe USB interface 43. Then, the CPU 41 causes the USB interface 43 totransmit the coded audio data to the personal computer.

Naturally, after transmitting the copy or move command to the CPU 41,the personal computer 11 causes the CD-ROM drive 31 c to perform areproducing operation and transmits read-out audio data to the driveapparatus 20.

In this case, the transmission of audio data from the personal computer11 to the drive apparatus 20 and the transmission of coded audio datafrom the drive apparatus 20 to the personal computer 11 are to beperformed simultaneously. To this end, for example, communications maybe made alternately in a time-divisional manner by a prescribed dataamount each time.

The copying or movement operation as operation (5) is realized in thismanner. That is, an operation of coding main data that is reproduced bythe CD-ROM drive 11 c and then storing resulting coded data in the HDD11 a is performed.

6. Operations Involving Reproduction from HDD

Next, operations (6), (7), and (8) as operations involving reproductionfrom the HDD 11 a will be described individually. The term “datareproduced from the HDD 11 a” as used here means coded main data thatwas recorded in the HDD 11 a by one of the above-described operations(3), (4), and (5).

6-1 Operation (6)

Operation (6), that is, an operation of reproducing and outputting codedmain data such as coded audio data recorded in the HDD 11 a byprocessing of the drive apparatus 20, will be described with referenceto FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 shows a process on the personal computer 11 side and FIG. 10shows a process that is executed by the CPU 41 of the drive apparatus20.

A reproducing operation as operation (6) is also performed in a statethat the drive apparatus 20 is connected to the personal computer 11. Inthis state, a user causes a reproducing operation by performingmanipulations using, for example, the personal computer 11 side (e.g.,manipulations using input devices of the personal computer 11 such as akeyboard and a mouse (not shown)).

When the user has performed, on the personal computer 11, manipulationsfor ordering reproduction of coded audio data in the HDD 11 a, theprocess of the personal computer 11 proceeds from step F121 to step F122(see FIG. 9). At step F122, first the personal computer 11 checkswhether the drive apparatus 20 is connected to it.

Specifically, the personal computer 11 transmits a status requestcommand (communication C11) to the CPU 41 of the drive apparatus 20 viathe USB interface. At step F123, the personal computer 11 waits for astatus reply (communication C12).

When the CPU 41 of the drive apparatus 20 receives the status requestcommand (communication C11), the process proceeds from step F221 to stepF222 (see FIG. 10). At step F222, the CPU 41 causes transmission of dataindicating a current status. Specifically, the data indicates whether astate has been established that the drive apparatus 20 is ready for anoperation of reproducing coded audio data that will be transmitted fromthe personal computer 11.

When the personal computer 11 receives the status data at step F123 inFIG. 9, at step F124 the personal computer 11 checks the status contentand checks whether a proper connection state for reproduction isestablished.

Although not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 in detail, if no status data isreceived from the drive apparatus 20 in response to the status requestcommand for a prescribed time or more, or if it is detected that theterminal state of the USB connector (e.g., the voltages of therespective terminals) is a disconnection state, the personal computer 11judges that the drive apparatus 20 is not connected to it and errortermination is made after execution of step F124.

Error termination is also made when status data is received from thedrive apparatus 20 but it indicates a state that the drive apparatus 20is not ready for a reproducing operation. An example of such a state isthat the drive apparatus 20 is currently performing a recordingoperation.

When it has been confirmed by the status check that a proper connectionstate is established, the process of the personal computer 11 goes tostep F125, where the personal computer 11 displays, on the displayscreen, a list of song names or the like of the main data such as audiodata recorded in the HDD 11 a, as well as a request for selection of asong to be reproduced.

In response, the user performs a manipulation for selecting a song. Inresponse to the manipulation for selection, the process of the personalcomputer 11 goes from step F126 to step F127, where the personalcomputer 11 transmits, to the CPU 41, a command (communication C13)instructing the CPU 41 to perform reproduction of a song as the selectedfile.

At step F128, the personal computer 11 waits for a communication(communication C14) indicating permission of a start of reproductionthat will be transmitted from the drive apparatus 20.

When the CPU 41 receives the command (communication C13) orderingexecution of reproduction, the process of the CPU 41 goes from step F223to step F224, where the CPU 41 performs preparations for reproductionand output such as communication mode setting and transfer of theterminal key to the SAM 50 and issues an OK communication (communicationC14) upon completion of the preparations. At step F225, the CPU 41 waitsfor transmission of coded audio data from the personal computer 11.

When the personal computer 11 receives the OK communication at stepF128, the process goes to step F129, where the personal computer 11reads out the coded audio data as a subject of reproduction from the HDD11 a and transmits it (communication C15) to the drive apparatus 20.

When transmission of the coded audio data (communication C15) isstarted, the process of the CPU 41 goes to step F226, where the CPU 41starts operations of receiving, decoding, and outputting the coded audiodata.

Specifically, the CPU 41 transfers, to the SAM 50, on a prescribed unitbasis, the coded audio data that is received via the USB interface 43and causes the SAM 50 to perform decoding using the terminal key.

Further, the CPU 41 causes the DSP 49 to expand audio data produced bythe SAM 50 through decoding and then causes the ADDA conversion section54 to convert resulting expanded audio data into an analog signal. Then,the CPU 41 causes output of the analog audio signal from the headphoneterminal 23 or the line output terminal 24 via the power amplifier 56.

In this manner, the audio signal is reproduced and output as a voicefrom the output destination apparatus 101 connected to the driveapparatus 20, such as a headphone or a speaker system, or recorded by anMD recorder or the like. Where the drive apparatus 20 incorporates aspeaker, it is naturally possible to produce a reproduction audio outputfrom the speaker.

However, if proper decoding cannot be performed by the SAM 50 at a timepoint of the start of decoding at step F226, the CPU 41 judges that theterminal key is improper and the process goes to step F228, where theCPU 41 sends an error communication (communication C16) to the personalcomputer 11.

If the personal computer 11 receives an error communication(communication C16) after execution of step F129 was started, errortermination is made after execution of step F130.

This corresponds to a case where the connected drive apparatus 20 is notthe one that was used during a copying or movement operation asdescribed above.

Since as described above the terminal key is a code number unique toeach drive apparatus 20, if the connected drive apparatus 20 isdifferent from the one that was used during a copying or movementoperation, a key that is different from the proper one is used fordecoding. Therefore, the decoding does not produce proper audio data.

In this case, error termination is made with a judgment thatreproduction is impossible.

Several methods are conceivable to allow the CPU 41 to judge whetherdecoding has been performed properly, an example of which is to checkthe error correction status in the DSP 49. To this end, an algorithm ofa coding process needs to be such that error correction is disabledunless decoding is performed by using the same terminal key.

Therefore, depending on the coding algorithm, there may occur a casethat the CPU 41 cannot judge during reproduction whether decoding hasbeen performed properly. That is, there may occur a case that stepsF227, F228, and F130 cannot be executed properly in the system. However,this causes no problem. In other words, an example process is possiblethat does not include steps F227, F228, and F130.

Consider a case where decoded audio data is reproduced and output as itis without confirming that the decoding has been made properly. Even inthis case, since decoding using a different terminal key cannot producea proper audio output, a noise sound that is meaningless to a user isreproduced. In any case, the user cannot properly hear coded audio datathat is read out from the HDD 11 a in a state that a drive apparatus 20that is different from the one that was used during a copying ormovement operation is connected.

The personal computer 11 continues the HDD reproduction and transmissionoperations at step F129 until the transmission of the audio data iscompleted or the user performs a manipulation for stopping thereproduction. During that period, a reproduction audio output isproduced by execution of step F226 by the CPU 41.

If the transmission of the audio data is completed or the user performsa manipulation for stopping the reproduction, the process of thepersonal computer 11 goes from step F131 or F132 to step F133, where thepersonal computer 11 transmits a stop command (communication C17) to theCPU 41. End processing is performed at step F134 and then thereproducing operation is finished.

When the CPU 41 receives the stop command, the process goes from stepF229 to step F230, where end processing is performed. Then, thereproducing operation is finished.

The reproducing operation as operation (6) is realized by theabove-described processes of FIGS. 9 and 10. That is, an operation ofreproducing, via the drive apparatus 20, main data that is coded andstored in the HDD 11 a is performed.

As is understood from the above description, a reproducing operation asdescribed above is performed on condition that a drive apparatus 20 isconnected to the personal computer 11 and the drive apparatus 20 shouldbe the one that was used in recording coded main data in the HDD 11 a.

This means that data that has been copied or moved to the HDD 11 a canbe reproduced only within the confines of personal use of a user, andhence no copyright infringement is caused.

6-2 Operation (7)

Operation (7) is an operation of decoding coded main data (e.g., codedaudio data) recorded in the HDD 11 a by processing of the driveapparatus 20 and then causing the personal computer 11 itself toreproduce and output resulting decoded main data.

In this case, reproduction and output are performed after the connectionstate between the personal computer 11 and the drive apparatus 20 ischecked by basically the same processing as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

That is, after execution of steps F121-F128 in FIG. 9, the personalcomputer 11 performs readout from the HDD 11 a and transmission to thedrive apparatus 20 at step F129.

On the other hand, after execution of steps F221-F225 in FIG. 10, theCPU 41 receives and decodes transmitted coded audio data at step F226.

However, the CPU 41 causes the USB interface 43 to transmit received anddecoded audio data to the personal computer 11.

The personal computer 11 outputs the transmitted audio data from thespeaker 11 b as a voice.

The reproducing operation as operation (7) is realized in this manner.That is, an operation of decoding, in the drive apparatus 20, main datathat is coded and stored in the HDD 11 a and then reproducing andoutputting resulting decoded main data from the personal computer 11 isperformed.

In this case, as in the case of operation (6), a reproducing operationis performed on condition that a drive apparatus 20 is connected to thepersonal computer 11 and the drive apparatus 20 should be the one thatwas used in recording coded main data in the HDD 11 a. This means thatdata that has been copied or moved to the HDD 11 a can be reproducedonly within the confines of personal use of a user, and hence nocopyright infringement is caused.

In addition, in this case, since a reproduction audio output is outputfrom the personal computer 11, a reproducing operation that does notmake a user feel incongruous is performed; that is, reproduction andoutput are performed by the very apparatus that is mounted with arecording medium (such as a CD) from which readout is being performed.

6-3 Operation (8)

An example of operation (8), that is, an operation of copying or movingcoded main data such as coded audio data that is recorded in the HDD 11a to the plate-like memory 1 by processing of the drive apparatus 20,will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 11 shows a process on the personal computer 11 side and FIG. 12shows a process that is executed by the CPU 41 of the drive apparatus20.

Operation (8) is also performed in a state that the drive apparatus 20is connected to the personal computer 11. In this state, a user causes acopying or movement operation by performing manipulations using, forexample, the personal computer 11 side (e.g., manipulations using inputdevices of the personal computer 11 such as a keyboard and a mouse (notshown)).

When the user has performed, on the personal computer 11, manipulationsfor ordering copying or movement of coded audio data in the HDD 11 a tothe plate-like memory 1, the process of the personal computer 11proceeds from step F141 to step F142 (see FIG. 11). At step S142, firstthe personal computer 11 checks whether the drive apparatus 20 isconnected to it.

Specifically, the personal computer 11 transmits a status requestcommand (communication C21) to the CPU 41 of the drive apparatus 20 viathe USB interface. At step F143, the personal computer 11 waits for astatus reply (communication C22).

When the CPU 41 of the drive apparatus 20 receives the status requestcommand (communication C21), the process proceeds from step F241 to F242(see FIG. 12). At step F242, the CPU 41 causes transmission of dataindicating a current status. Specifically, the data indicates whether astate has been established that the drive apparatus 20 is ready for anoperation of recording, in the plate-like memory 1, coded audio datathat will be transmitted from the personal computer 11.

When the personal computer 11 receives the status data at step F143 (seeFIG. 11), at step F144 the personal computer 11 checks the statuscontent and checks whether a proper connection state for copying ormovement is established.

Also in this case, if no status data is received from the driveapparatus 20 in response to the status request command for a prescribedtime or more, or if it is detected that the terminal state of the USBconnector (e.g., the voltages of the respective terminals) is adisconnection state, the personal computer 11 judges that the driveapparatus 20 is not connected to it and error termination is made afterexecution of step F144.

Error termination is also made when status data is received from thedrive apparatus 20 but it indicates a state that the drive apparatus 20is not ready for a copying or movement operation. Examples of such astate are that the drive apparatus 20 is currently performing anotherrecording operation and that the plate-like memory 1 is not mounted.

When it has been confirmed by the status check that a proper connectionstate is established, the process of the personal computer 11 goes tostep F145, where the personal computer 11 displays, on the displayscreen, a list of song names or the like of the main data such as audiodata recorded in the HDD 11 a, as well as a request for selection of asong to be copied or reproduced.

In response, the user performs a manipulation of selecting a song. Inresponse to the manipulation for selection, the process of the personalcomputer 11 goes from step F146 to step F147, where the personalcomputer 11 transmits, to the CPU 41, a command (communication C23)instructing the CPU 41 to perform copying or movement of a song as theselected file to the plate-like memory 1.

At step F148, the personal computer 11 waits for a communication(communication C24) indicating permission of a start of reproductionthat will be transmitted from the drive apparatus 20.

When the CPU 41 receives the command (communication C23) orderingexecution of copying or movement, the process of the CPU 41 goes fromstep F243 to step F244, where the CPU 41 performs preparations forcopying or movement such as communication mode setting and transfer ofthe terminal key to the SAM 50 and issues an OK communication(communication C24) upon completion of the preparations. At step F245,the CPU 41 waits for transmission of coded audio data from the personalcomputer 11.

When the personal computer 11 receives the OK communication at stepF148, the process goes to step F149, where the personal computer 11reads out the coded audio data as a subject of copying or movement fromthe HDD 11 a and transmits it (communication C25) to the drive apparatus20.

When transmission of the coded audio data (communication C25) isstarted, the process of the CPU 41 goes to step F246, where the CPU 41starts operations of receiving, decoding, and writing the coded audiodata.

Specifically, the CPU 41 transfers, to the SAM 50, on a prescribed unitbasis, the coded audio data that is received via the USB interface 43and causes the SAM 50 to perform decoding using the terminal key.

Further, the CPU 41 writes audio data decoded in the SAM 50 to theplate-like memory 1 via the memory interface 42.

In this manner, copying or movement to the plate-like memory 1 by thedrive apparatus 20 is performed.

However, if proper decoding cannot be performed by the SAM 50 at a timepoint of the start of decoding at step F246, the CPU 41 judges that theterminal key is improper and the process goes to step F248, where theCPU 41 sends an error communication (communication C26) to the personalcomputer 11.

If the personal computer 11 receives an error communication(communication C26) after execution of step F149 was started, errortermination is made after execution of step F150.

That is, if the connected drive apparatus 20 is not the one that wasused during copying or movement to the HDD 11 a as described above, itis impossible to copy or move, to the plate-like memory 1, the audiodata that was copied or moved to the HDD 11 a.

If the CPU 41 cannot judge whether the decoding has been performedproperly, audio data that is considered to have been decoded is writtento the plate-like memory 1. When a different terminal key was used, datathat is written to the plate-like memory 1 is audio data of anunrecognizable noise sound. In any case, in a state that a driveapparatus 20 that is different from the one that was used during aprevious copying or movement operation is connected, the user cannotproperly copy or move coded audio data that is read out from the HDD 11a to the plate-like memory 1.

The personal computer 11 continues the HDD reproduction and transmissionoperations at step F149 until the transmission of the audio data iscompleted.

When the transmission of the audio data is completed, the process of thepersonal computer 11 goes from step F151 to step F152, where thepersonal computer 11 transmits a completion command (communication C27)to the CPU 41. End processing is performed at step F153 and then thecopying or movement operation is finished. When the operation performedis a move operation, the audio data is erased from the HDD 11 a as partof the end processing.

When the CPU 41 receives the completion command, the process goes fromstep F249 to step F250, where end processing is performed. Then, thecopying or movement operation is finished.

The copying or movement operation as operation (8) is realized by theabove-described processes of FIGS. 11 and 12. That is, an operation ofrecording, in the plate-like memory 1, via the drive apparatus 20, maindata that is coded and stored in the HDD 11 a is performed.

Also in this case, as described above, conditions are imposed that adrive apparatus 20 is connected to the personal computer 11 and that thedrive apparatus 20 should be the one that was used in recording codedmain data in the HDD 11 a. Therefore, data that has been copied or movedto the HDD 11 a can be reproduced only within the confines of personaluse of a user, and hence no copyright infringement is caused. Forexample, it is impossible to increase copied data limitlessly byrecording data that has been copied to the HDD 11 a in a plate-likememory 1 by using another drive apparatus 20.

On the other hand, within correct use, such an operation as returningdata that has been moved to the HDD 11 a to the original plate-likememory 1 can be performed.

Referring to FIG. 6, the drive apparatus 20 plus the plate-like memory 1as a portable unit can be detached from the personal computer 11. Whenthe portable unit is removed from the personal computer 11 and carriedout, an audio file can be reproduced only by the portable unit. Wherethe same audio file is recorded in the HDD 11 a of the personal computer11 and recorded in the portable unit and carried out and there is apossibility that it is reproduced by the portable unit as mentionedabove, this state is not preferable in terms of copyright protection ifthe audio file can be reproduced by the personal computer 11.

By making it impossible for the personal computer 11 to properlyreproduce, by itself, an audio data file recorded in the HDD 1 a, theaudio data file made a plurality of copies that can be reproducedproperly can be restricted to the file that is processed by the portableunit. Copyright protection can easily be attained in this manner.

For example, the coding section and the decoding section of the driveapparatus 20 may be merely an encoder and a decoder, respectively. Thatis, when an audio data file was encoded according to a signalcompression scheme called ATRAC, for example, it cannot be reproducedproperly unless the personal computer 11 is equipped with an ATRACdecoder. That is, a similar effect can be obtained even in a case whereinformation is merely compressed.

There may occur a case that it is necessary to set a restriction thatonly the plate-like memory 1 from which audio data was moved to the HDD11 a is allowed to be a plate-like memory 1 to which the coded audiodata that is read out from the HDD 11 a is copied or moved.

With the condition that the drive apparatus 20 that was used duringcopying or movement to the HDD 11 a is connected, the plate-like memory1 itself is given no limitation. This may cause a case that limitlesscopying from the HDD 11 a to many plate-like memories 1 can beperformed.

Where this causes fear of copyright infringement etc., a process ispreferable in which the CPU 41 checks the mounted plate-like memory 1itself and copying or movement is permitted only when the plate-likememory 1 in which audio data concerned was originally recorded ismounted.

On the other hand, another process is possible in which such a check isnot performed and coded audio data that is transmitted from the HDD 11a, for example, is recorded as it is, that is, without decoding it inthe plate-like memory 1.

The reason for the above is as follows. In this case, it is possible toestablish a state that coded audio data that is recorded in theplate-like memory 1 cannot be reproduced without using the driveapparatus 20 concerned, because decoding using the terminal key isperformed during reproduction. Therefore, even if a large amount ofcopying is performed, copied data can substantially be used only withinthe confines of personal use of the user.

Alternatively, copying may be restricted according to the conventionalSCMS scheme.

A configuration is possible in which coded audio data that istransmitted from the HDD 11 a is decoded and resulting decoded audiodata is again coded and recorded in the plate-like memory 1 as codedaudio data. The terminal key that is used in this coding may be madedifferent from the terminal key that is used in decoding the coded audiodata that is transmitted from the HDD 11 a.

Further, although in the above embodiment the personal computer 11 a isused as an example of the second apparatus, the second apparatus may bean audio set having a large-capacity storage medium, a server that isconnected to a LAN, or the like.

FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 13, a system of the second embodiment consists of apersonal computer 11, a drive apparatus 20, and a plate-like memory 1.The personal computer 11 includes an HDD 11 a, a CD-ROM drive 11 c, acontent key generating means 11 d, and an audio file generating means 11e. A content key database, a number-of-copying management database, andaudio files can be stored in the HDD 11 a.

First, a description will be made of an operation of copying, to the HDD11 a, audio data recorded on a recording medium such as a CD that ismounted in the CD-ROM drive 11 c.

In copying, to the HDD 11 a, audio data recorded on a recording mediumsuch as a CD that is mounted in the CD-ROM drive 11 c, first amanagement key called a content key is generated by the content keygenerating means 11 d. (Contents keys are generated for respective audiodata). Receiving the audio data and the content key generated by thecontent key generating means 11 d, the audio file generating means 11 elocks the received audio data by using the received content key and alsolocks the content key by using a storage key (not shown). The personalcomputer 11, the drive apparatus 20, and the plate-like memory 1 havetheir own storage keys, and the personal computer 11 shown in FIG. 13and another personal computer 11B (not shown) have different storagekeys. The audio file that has been generated by the audio filegenerating means 11 e and is constituted of the audio data that waslocked by the content key that is unique to the audio data and thecontent key that was locked by the storage key that is unique to thepersonal computer 11 is written to the HDD 11 a. Then, for laterauthentication of the fact that the content key that was used ingenerating the audio file is the unique key that was generated in thepersonal computer 11, information relating to the content key is writtento the content key database. As described later, in forming a copy ofthe above audio file in the plate-like memory 1, to manage the number ofgenerated copies, a number “3,” for example, as an upper limit of thenumber of times of copying is written to the number-of-copyingmanagement database so as to be correlated with the generated audiofile.

Next, a description will be made of a process that is executed ingenerating a copy of the audio file newly generated by the aboveoperation in the plate-like memory 1 via the drive apparatus 20.

In this case, first a state is established that data communication ofthe audio file can be performed between the personal computer 11 and thedrive apparatus 20. Then, after data communication between the driveapparatus 20 and the plate-like memory 1 is enabled, the audio file inthe personal computer 11 is copied to the plate-like memory 1.

Of the above two processes for establishing a state that datacommunication is possible, the process for establishing a state thatdata communication can be performed between the personal computer 11 andthe drive apparatus 20 will be described below with reference to FIGS.14 and 15.

FIG. 14 shows a process that is executed by the personal computer 11 andFIG. 15 shows a process that is executed by the drive apparatus 20.

By using the personal computer 11 or the drive apparatus 20, a userinstructs the personal computer 11 and the drive apparatus 20 to copy anaudio file recorded in the personal computer 11 to the plate-like memory1. When so instructed, at steps F301 and F311 the personal computer 11and the drive apparatus 20 confirm, through establishment of a session,whether the counterpart apparatus is allowed to copy a copyright-managedaudio file. At steps F302 and F312, the personal computer 11 and thedrive apparatus 20 judge whether they confirmed that the counterpartapparatus is allowed to make a communication for copying at steps F301and F311. If at least one of the two apparatuses is not allowed to makea copy, a session cannot be established at steps F301 and F311 and hencethe processes are finished without performing communication processingfor copying.

If both apparatuses are allowed to make a copy, the processes go tosteps F303 and F313, respectively, where the personal computer 11 andthe drive apparatus 20 generate a session key based on information thatwas obtained when a session was established at steps F301 and F311. Thesession key is an encryption key that is generated to safely exchangedata when the data are exchanged between a plurality of apparatusesthrough communications. The session key is used for coding and decodingand is effective only while the session is kept established.

At step F304, the personal computer 11 performs key switching; that is,the personal computer 11 cancels, by using the storage key, the lockingof the content key with which the content of the audio file recorded inthe HDD 11 a was locked and locks the content key by using the sessionkey that was generated at step F303. As a result of the execution ofstep F304, a temporary audio file is generated that is constituted ofthe content that was locked by the content key and the content key thatwas locked by the session key. At step F305, the personal computer 11transmits this temporary audio file generated at step F304 to the driveapparatus 20.

At step F314, the drive apparatus 20 receives the audio file that istransmitted from the personal computer 11 at step F305. At step F315,the drive apparatus 20 cancels the locking of the content key that isincluded in the received audio file by using the session key that wasgenerated at step F313, and protects the content key by locking it byusing the storage key that is unique to the drive apparatus 20.

At step F306, the personal computer 11 changes the upper limit of thenumber of times of copying of the audio file that is recorded in thenumber-of-copying: management database recorded in the HDD 1 a from “3”to “2.” The session for copying of the audio file that is establishedbetween the personal computer 11 and the drive apparatus 20 is nowfinished, and the session key that was generated at steps F303 and F313is discarded.

Processes similar to the above are also executed by the drive apparatus20 and the plate-like memory 1, in which the drive apparatus 20 executesa process similar to the process of the personal computer 11 shown inFIG. 14 and the plate-like memory 1 executes a process similar to theprocess of the drive apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 15. As a result, theaudio file recorded in the personal computer 11 is safely copied to theplate-like memory 1 while the number of times of copying is managed.However, when the audio file is copied from the drive apparatus 20 tothe plate-like memory 1, a step on the drive apparatus 20 side ofmanaging the number of times of copying that corresponds to step F305 isomitted. That is, the management of the number of times of copying isperformed in a unified manner only by the personal computer 11 thatfirst generated the audio file concerned.

Naturally, before execution of the above processes, the personalcomputer 11 confirms that the upper limit of the number of times ofcopying that is recorded in the number-of-copying management database isnot “0” and judges whether the copying concerned is within the allowablerange of the copyright management. If the upper limit of the number oftimes of copying that is recorded in the number-of-copying managementdatabase is “0,” a massage to the effect that, for example, the upperlimit of the number of times of copying that the user is permitted hasbeen reached is displayed on a display device of the personal computer11, the display section 21 of the drive apparatus 20, or the like andentrance to the above-described processes is prohibited. In this manner,the copyright is protected and the user is informed of the fact that thecopying concerned is out of the allowable range.

An operation of producing a copy in a state that the upper limit of thenumber of times of copying is prescribed will be hereinafter called“checkout.” A reverse operation of returning, when, for example, anaudio file recorded in the plate-like memory 1 has become unnecessary,the audio file to the personal computer 11, erasing the copied audiofile from the plate-like memory 1, and incrementing, by one, the upperlimit of the number of times of copying that is managed in the personalcomputer 11 will be hereinafter called “checkin.” Alternatively, thecheckin operation may be such that only a content key, rather than theentire audio file, is returned and the audio file is erased from theplate-like memory 1.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 16-19, a description will be made of howthe use right of an audio file copied to the plate-like memory 1 isreturned to the personal computer 11 when the audio file has becomesunnecessary. The following description will be directed to a case wherethe use right of an audio file is returned by returning only a contentkey indicating presence of the use right rather than the entire audiofile.

As shown in FIG. 16, the personal computer 11 includes the HDD 11 a anda content key evaluating means 11 f. An audio file, a content keydatabase, and a number-of-copying management database are recorded inthe HDD 11 a.

FIGS. 17-19 show processes that are executed by the plate-like memory 1,the drive apparatus 20, and the personal computer 11, respectively.

When the user orders, by using, for example, the drive apparatus 20 orthe personal computer 11, returning of the use right of an audio filecopied to the plate-like memory 1 through updating of the number-ofcopying management database of the personal computer 11, at steps F321and F331 the plate-like memory 1 and the drive apparatus 20 try toestablish a session between them. At step F322, the plate-like memory 1judges a result of the above attempt. If a session was establishedsuccessfully, the process goes to step F323. If the attempt ofestablishing a session failed, the subsequent steps are skipped and theexecution of the process is finished because there is a possibility thatthe counterpart with which the attempt of establishing a session wasmade does not have any mechanism for protecting copy-right-protectedcontents.

At step F332, the drive apparatus 20 judges a result of the execution ofstep F331. If it is judged that a session was established successfully,that is, the plate-like memory 1 has a mechanism for protecting thecopyright, the process goes to step F333. If it is judged at step F332that a session was not established, the subsequent steps are skipped andthe execution of the process is finished. The copyright is protected bynot operating with the plate-like memory 1 that may not have anymechanism for protecting the copyright.

If it is judged at step F322 that a session was establishedsuccessfully, at step F323 the plate-like memory 1 generates a sessionkey based on data that was obtained when the session was established. Asession key is re-generated every time a session is established, and isdiscarded when the session is finished. If it is judged at step F332that a session was established successfully, the process of the driveapparatus 20 goes to step F333, where a session key is generated basedon data that was obtained when the session was established.

At step F324, the plate-like memory 1 cancels, by using the storage keythat is unique to the plate-like memory 1, the locking of the contentkey of the audio file whose use right is to be returned. Further, theplate-like memory 1 again locks the content key by using the session keythat was generated at step F323, and sends out the locked content key tothe drive apparatus 20. At step F334, the drive apparatus 20 receivesthe locked content key from the plate-like memory 1.

At step F335, the drive apparatus 20 tries to establish a session withthe personal computer 11. At step F351, the personal computer 11 triesto establish a session with the drive apparatus 20.

At step F336, the drive apparatus 20 judges whether a session wasestablished successfully with the personal computer 11 at step F335. Ifit is judged that a session was established successfully, the processgoes to step F337. If a session was not established, the drive apparatus20 judges that the personal computer 11 may not have any mechanism forprotecting the copyright and skips the subsequent steps and finishes theexecution of the process. If the personal computer 11 judges at stepF352 that a session was established successfully with the driveapparatus 20 at step F351, the process goes to step F353. If a sessionwas not established with the drive apparatus 20 at step F351, thepersonal computer 11 judges that the drive apparatus 20 may not have anymechanism for protecting the copyright and skips the subsequent stepsand finishes the execution of the process.

At step F337, the drive apparatus 20 generates a session key based ondata that was obtained when the session was established with thepersonal computer 11. At step F353, the personal computer 11 generates asession key based on data that was obtained when the session wasestablished with the drive apparatus 20.

At step F338, the drive apparatus 20 cancels, by using the storage keythat is unique to the drive apparatus 20, the locking of the content keythat was sent from the plate-like memory 1 and locked by the storage keythat is unique to the drive apparatus 20. Further, the drive apparatus20 locks the content key by using the session key that was generated atstep F337 and sends out the locked content key to the personal computer11. At step F354, the personal computer 11 receives the locked contentkey from the drive apparatus 20.

At step F355, the personal computer 11 cancels, by using the session keythat was generated at step F353, the locking of the content key that wassent from the drive apparatus 20 and locked by the session key. Further,the personal computer 11 judges, with the content key evaluating means11 f, whether the obtained content key is one that is managed in thecontent key database in the HDD 11 a. If a judgment result isaffirmative, the process goes to step F356. If the judgment result isnegative, the process is finished with a judgment that the content keyconcerned is for a content that was copied by another personal computer.

If it is judged at step F355 that the content key that was sent from thedrive apparatus 20 is one that is managed in the content key database,at step F356 the personal computer 11 informs the drive apparatus 20that the checkin succeeded. That is, the personal computer 11 informsthe drive apparatus 20 that it has been confirmed that the contentrecorded in the plate-like memory 1 is a copy of the content that wasissued by the personal computer 11 itself and is in acopyright-protected state, and that returning of the use right of thecontent concerned that is recorded in the plate-like memory 1 has beenpermitted.

Then, at step F357, the personal computer 11 updates the upper limit ofthe number of times of copying that is recorded in the number-of-copyingmanagement database. If number “2” is recorded as the upper limit of thenumber of times of copying as shown in FIG. 16, the upper limit isupdated to “3” because one use right of the content has been returnedfrom the plate-like memory 1.

At step F339, the drive apparatus 20 judges whether the chekin of thecontent key that was received from the plate-like memory 1 and then sentto the personal computer 11 succeeded in the personal computer 11. If itis judged that the chekin succeeded, the process goes to step F340. Ifit is judged that the chekin did not succeed, the process goes to stepF341.

If it is judged at step F339 that the checkin in the personal computer11 succeeded, at step F340 the drive apparatus 20 informs the plate-likememory 1 that the checkin succeeded and the use right of the contentconcerned has been returned to the personal computer 11.

If it is judged at step F339 that the checkin did not succeed, at stepF341 the drive apparatus 20 informs the plate-like memory 1 of failureof the checkin to communicate that the content key that was receivedfrom the plate-like memory 1 is not one that was issued from thepersonal computer 11 returning of the use right of the content to whichwas attempted.

At step F325, the plate-like memory 1 judges whether the checkin of theaudio file succeeded returning of whose use right is being attempted onthe personal computer 11. If a judgment result is affirmative, theprocess goes to step F326. If the judgment result is negative, theprocess is finished. At step F326, the plate-like memory 1 erases, fromits storage device, the audio file whose use right has been returned.Then, the process is finished.

With the above processes, the use right of a copyright-protected contentthat was stored in the plate-like memory 1 is returned to the personalcomputer 1, the upper limit of the number of times of copying that thepersonal computer 11 is permitted is updated, and the audio file whoseuse right has been returned is erased from the plate-like memory 1. Thismakes it possible to establish an environment in which copyright isprotected within a permitted range.

In the second embodiment, even if an audio file is copied, the contentof the audio file cannot be reproduced unless a storage key that wasused to lock the audio file is obtained. That is, the storage key playsa role that is equivalent to the role of the terminal key in the firstembodiment. In other words, it can be said that each of the personalcomputer 11, the drive apparatus 20, and the plate-like memory 1 havingrespective storage keys has the function of the drive apparatus 20 inthe first embodiment.

The invention is not limited to each of the above-described processes.For example, the personal computer 11 may inform, at step F356, thedrive apparatus 20 that checkin succeeded after updating thenumber-of-copying management database at step F357. The judgment for thelimitation of the number of times of copying may be done in thefollowing manner. A comparing means is additionally provided thatcompares the count value of a counter of the number of times of copyingwith an upper limit. The count value is incremented by one every time acopy is produced, and decremented by one every time checkin isperformed. If it is found that the number of times of copying hasreached an allowable number through comparison between the count valueand the separately stored upper limit, no further copying is permittedunless checkin is performed. Naturally, an upper limit may be set foreach audio data file or a unified upper limit may be set for the entirepersonal computer 11.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the invention is notlimited to the configurations and the operations of the embodiments. Inparticular, various modifications are possible for detailed proceduresin the various operations described above.

In a system according to the invention, the recording mediumcorresponding to the first recording medium is not limited to theplate-like memory shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and may be any of solid-statememory media having other outer shapes, a memory chip, a memory card, amemory module, etc. Naturally, the memory device is not limited to aflash memory and may be any of other kinds of memory devices. Further,the invention can also be applied to a system that uses a disk-shapedrecording medium such as a Mini disc, a DVD (digital versatile disc), ahard disk, or a CD-R rather than a solid-state memory.

Similarly, the term “second recording medium” as used in the inventionis not limited to an HDD.

Although the above embodiments are directed to copying, movement, andreproduction of audio data such as musical data, they are just examples.For example, the invention is not limited to a track or a file ofmusical data and can also be applied to a moving picture file, a stillpicture file, a voice data file, etc. in completely the same manners.

As is apparent from the above description, where main data having thesame content are recorded in a first recording medium and a secondrecording medium and were coded by a signal processing apparatus so thatonly the signal processing apparatus having a function of decoding themain data can reproduce the main data, the main data recorded in thesecond recording medium cannot be used while, for example, the firstrecording medium is mounted in the signal processing apparatus and themain data recorded in the first recording medium is being used. The maindata recorded in the second recording medium is rendered usable byconnecting the signal processing apparatus to the second recordingmedium.

In the invention, in transmitting main data such as musical data) thatis recorded in a first recording medium to a second apparatus andthereby copying or moving it to a second recording medium, the main datais coded in a first apparatus by using, as a key, an identifier that isunique to the first apparatus. Coded main data is transmitted to thesecond apparatus and thereby copied or moved. In reproducing, by thesecond apparatus, the main data as coded data that has been copied ormoved to the second recording medium in the above manner, the secondapparatus checks its connection to the first apparatus and is allowed toread out the main data in a connected state. The read-out coded maindata is transmitted to the first apparatus side, decoded by a decodingmeans by using, as a key, the identifier that is unique to the firstapparatus, and then reproduced and output. Therefore, as forreproduction of copied or moved main data, the main data can be decodedproperly by using the same identifier as used during coding and thenreproduced only when the first apparatus that was used during thecopying or movement is connected to the second apparatus. Decodingcannot be performed when any of other first apparatuses is connected.

Therefore, only the owner of the first apparatus that was used duringthe copying or movement can reproduce the copied or moved main data.That is, the copied or moved main data can be used or reproduced onlywithin the confines of personal use of the user. The invention can thusprovide a strong measure for preventing copyright infringement.

On the other hand, no restriction is imposed on further copying ormovement of the coded main data that has been copied or moved to thesecond apparatus (i.e., copying or movement of main data that remainscoded). Therefore, the user can use the main data in a flexible mannerbecause he can move the main data to another apparatus or anotherrecording medium when necessary. That is, not only the second apparatus(the term as used in the invention) but also any apparatus that can beconnected to the first apparatus during reproduction can reproduce thecoded main data. Therefore, the invention allows for use of a variety ofdata and carriage of data within the confines of personal use of theuser who owns the first apparatus, and thereby improves the ease of useof the user.

The copying and movement according to the invention may be employed notonly to protect copyright but also to handle, for example, data that ishigh in secrecy to a user. In the latter case, since the data cannot bereproduced by persons other than the user himself, that is, the owner ofthe first apparatus, a secrecy protection effect can be obtained.

In the invention, the identifier as the key to be used in coding anddecoding main data is stored in the first apparatus or the dataprocessing apparatus and coding and decoding that use the identifier areperformed in the first apparatus. That is, the identifier is nottransferred to another apparatus at the time of copying or movement. Atother time points, it is not necessary to transmit the identifier itselfto the outside of the first apparatus. This means that the identifierdoes not go out of the first apparatus at all. That is, a code number asthe identifier is not stolen in a communication process, and it isimpossible to enable a communication destination apparatus to use theidentifier. Therefore, even a dishonest user who owns a first apparatuscannot do a copyright-infringing act by finding out the identifier andthereby evading the copyright protection scheme of the invention.

In the invention, the first apparatus or the data processing apparatusmay be provided with reading means capable of reading out main data fromthe first recording medium and capturing it in the first apparatus. Inthis case, a data copying and moving system that realizes the aboveadvantages can be established only by the first and second apparatuses.

Further, in this case, the first apparatus or the data processingapparatus can be used alone as a reproducing apparatus.

The first apparatus or the data processing apparatus may be providedwith input means capable of capturing, in the first apparatus, main datathat is read out from the first recording medium by inputting, to thefirst recording medium, the main data that is read out by a reproducingapparatus such as an external CD player capable of reproducingoperation. In this case, even reproduction data such as musical datarecorded on a CD supplied from an apparatus (e.g., a conventionalapparatus) that does not employ the coding and decoding operations incopying or movement according to the invention can enjoy the advantagesof the invention.

The same thing applies to a case where the second apparatus side canreproduce data in the first recording medium. That is, where the secondapparatus is provided with reading means capable of reading out maindata from the first recording medium and transmitting means capable oftransmitting the main data that is reproduced by the reading means tothe first apparatus, the first apparatus may be provided with receivingmeans capable of capturing the main data that is read out from the firstrecording medium in the first apparatus by receiving the main data thatis transmitted from the transmitting means of the second apparatus. Inthis case, even data reproduced 1 by the second apparatus can enjoy theadvantages of the invention.

The output means of the first apparatus or the data processing apparatusof the invention may supply, as reproduction data, main data that isproduced by the decoding means through decoding to an output apparatusthat is connected to or incorporated in the first apparatus, and causethe output apparatus to reproduce and output the main data. In thiscase, reproduction and output by the first apparatus are enabled. Forexample, in the case of musical data, it can be output from a speaker ora headphone that is incorporated in or connected to the first apparatus.Or an operation is enabled that musical data is supplied to anotherapparatus such as an amplifier system or a recording apparatus from anoutput terminal and reproduced and output therefrom or recorded therein.

The output means of the first apparatus may cause the transmitting meansto supply, as reproduction data, main data that is produced by thedecoding means through decoding to the second apparatus. In this case,reproduction and output by the second apparatus side can be enabled.This reproduction data was originally read out by the second apparatusside and the first apparatus is to decode that coded data. Therefore, byreturning the decoded main data to the second apparatus, a reproducingoperation that does not make a user feel incongruous, that is,reproduction and output by the apparatus that reads out the main datafrom the recording medium, can be performed.

The first apparatus may be provided with writing means capable ofwriting data to the first recording medium, and the writing means may beenabled to write main data that is produced by the decoding meansthrough decoding to the first recording medium. In this case, copying ormovement of main data from the second apparatus, that is, returning ofmain data to the original recording medium (main data that was movedfrom the first recording medium to the second recording medium isreturned to the first recording medium), can be performed.

As described above, in a system in which main data is supplied from aserver apparatus (in which main data that is coded so that it cannot bereproduced by a plurality of units is recorded) to a terminal apparatus,the terminal apparatus can decode and reproduce the main data that isrecorded on the server apparatus only when its connection to the serverapparatus is confirmed. In a state that the terminal apparatus and theserver apparatus are separated from each other, in which stateconnection to the server apparatus cannot be confirmed, main data thatwas recorded in the terminal apparatus in advance is decoded andreproduced. In this manner, for example, the terminal apparatus is usedas an apparatus for reproducing the main data at outside places. When auser is in a room where connection to the server apparatus can be made,main data on the server apparatus can be reproduced. Therefore, moremain data can be reproduced than when the user is located at an outsideplace. If the user records, in the terminal apparatus, main data that hewants to use at an outside place and then goes out carrying the terminalapparatus, the main data can be reproduced at the outside place.However, the server apparatus cannot reproduce main data because ofabsence of the terminal apparatus that coded the main data. Copyrightprotection can be attained in this manner.

1. A reproducing apparatus for moving main data that has been subjectedto reproduction-restrictive coding from a first recording medium wherethe main data is recorded to a second recording medium, the apparatuscomprising: storing means for storing a key to be used for decoding acode that restricts reproduction of the main data; input means forreceiving the main data from the first recording medium; judging meansfor judging whether the main data received by the input means can bedecoded by using the key that is stored in the storing means; firstoutput means for outputting the main data received by the input means tothe second recording medium; second output means for informing the firstrecording medium of permission or prohibition of movement of the maindata and completion of the movement of the main data; and control meansfor causing the first output means to output the main data received bythe input means to the second recording medium when the judging meansjudges that the main data can be decoded, and for prohibiting the firstoutput means from outputting the main data received by the input meansto the second recording medium when the judging means judges that themain data cannot be decoded, wherein the control means causes the secondoutput means to inform the first recording medium of permission ofmovement of the main data and thereby causes output of the main datawhen the judging means judges that the main data can be decoded, andcauses the second output means to inform the first recording medium ofcompletion of the movement and thereby causes erasure of the main datafrom the first recording medium when the movement of the main data iscompleted.
 2. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising key generating means for generating the key for decoding thecode that restricts reproduction of the main data, wherein the storingmeans stores the key generated by the key generating means.
 3. Thereproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the key generated bythe key generating means and stored in the storing means is generatedevery time the main data that has been subjected toreproduction-restrictive coding is moved from the first recording mediumwhere the main data is recorded to the second recording medium andfurther comprising means for discarding the key every time movement ofthe main data is completed.
 4. The reproducing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the key that is stored in the storing means is uniqueto the reproducing apparatus.
 5. The reproducing apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising reproducing means for reproducing the maindata that is input from the first recording medium, wherein the controlmeans causes the reproducing means to reproduce the main data that isinput from the first recording medium when the judging means judges thatthe main data can be decoded.
 6. The reproducing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the storing means comprises first storing means and thekey comprises a first key and further comprising: second storing meansfor storing a second key that is different from the first key used fordecoding the main data input from the first recording medium; and codingmeans for coding the main data to be output from the first output meansto the second recording medium, so that resulting coded main data isdecoded by using the second key that is stored in the second storingmeans; wherein the control means decodes the main data by using thefirst key stored in the first storing means, causes the coding means toencode the main data in such a manner that the main data can be decodedby using the second key stored in the second storing means, and causesthe first output means to output resulting coded main data to the secondrecording medium, when the judging means judges that the main data inputfrom the first recording medium can be decoded.
 7. The reproducingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising number-of-copyingcounting means for updating a count of the number of times of copyingwhen the main data recorded in the second recording means is copied tothe first recording medium and when the main data is moved from thefirst recording medium.
 8. The reproducing apparatus according to claim7, further comprising comparing means for comparing the count of thenumber-of-copying counting means with a permitted number of times ofcopying, wherein the control means prohibits copying when a number ofcopies of the main data copied from the second storing means has reachedthe permitted number of times of copying as a result of comparison bythe comparing means.